This is the incredible moment a giraffe gave birth to a healthy calf at the Chester Zoo in England.

The Rothschild's giraffe mum named Orla delivered her baby from a height of six feet onto a bed of straw at 11:30 pm on March 12, following a 472-day pregnancy and three-hour labour.

Following its dramatic arrival, the calf was quick to get on its feet and begin nursing from its mother. At just two days old, the calf already weighs over 70 kg and stands at 6 feet tall. However, it is expected to grow to more than 18 feet and weigh 1,000 kg.

Zookeeper Rosie Owen said the impact from the fall is an important part of the birthing process for giraffes. She said it stimulates the calf and encourages it to take its first breath.

She added that Orla has been displaying her motherly instincts, offering her calf much-needed encouragement as it navigates with unsteady legs.

Once widespread across Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan, Rothschild's giraffes have reportedly suffered a 90 per cent decline in recent years due to poaching and habitat loss.

With only 2,500 of these giraffes estimated to remain across Africa, the species is listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Chester Zoo is actively involved in conservation efforts, working with partners in Uganda to monitor andsafeguard the remaining populations.

Thanks to these efforts, the Rothschild's giraffe population in Uganda has seen an increase for the fourth consecutive year, providing hope for a future where these animals can thrive.